State playoff brackets released

There’s a hidden advantage to knowing one’s opponent, even if it has gotten the better of a team the past two times it’s played the opponent.

Just ask Forbush.

As the NCHSAA 2A Brackets were released Saturday afternoon, both the Forbush boys and girls teams saw their name on the list of teams with a chance to win it all. The boys team will hit the road against a familiar foe. The Falcons fly north for a contest against North Surry, the regular season and tournament champions for the Western Piedmont Athletic Conference.

North Surry had the upper hand the first time out this season winning 62-49, then followed it up by spoiling the Falcons’ senior night 77-62. It may sound cliché, but it’s hard to beat a good team three times in a row, but the Falcons are out to prove just that it can be done.

“If we’d done this last year, there’d be a parade through Yadkinville, but this year they’re angry and want more and more and more,” Head Coach Jody Christopherson said. “So we’re really building that winning attitude where they’re not just happy with winning 11 games and possibly making the playoffs.”

The Forbush girls, meanwhile, earned a home game as the No. 10 seed in the West and played East Rutherford. That score was not available at press time, but there’s momentum building in the Lady Falcons program that gives them optimism heading into it. They picked up the tournament win Friday night with a win over North Surry.

Also winning in their conference tournament were the Starmount Rams. The team from the west side of Yadkin County earned a home slot by winning the regular season conference championship, then followed it up with a win in the championship game against Ashe County. The girls, meanwhile, finished strong but missed a playoff spot.

Ryan DeCosta would like to thank the Forbush and Starmount coaches, players, and fans for their support, making his time at the Tribune and Ripple fun. He can now be reached on Twitter at @rsdecosta.